Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is battling to keep hold of striker John Carew.

The Mirror says Spanish club Sevilla are lining up a £7million bid for the 29-year-old who was hurt by his manager's handling of the situation when he was seen at a lap dancing club in the early hours a day before a UEFA Cup tie.

Those bridges were mended, but insiders say Carew was worried at reading during the summer about potential bids for Peter Crouch.

His agent Per Flo insisted last night: "I do not make any comments about speculation."